Am I Pregnant?

One in five pregnancies end in natural miscarriage before seven weeks, therefore a positive pregnancy test is not always conclusive. Ultrasound is the earliest way to determine a live pregnancy.1

If you believe you may be facing a pregnancy due to a missed period, positive at-home test, or other early signs of pregnancy (see list below), the next step is to medically confirm that you are pregnant.

Network Medical provides free pregnancy testing and ultrasound services in order to verify pregnancy and determine how far along the pregnancy may be.

Missed period – if you have regular cycles, missing your period is the most typical early sign of pregnancy.

Light spotting or cramping – sometimes when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, approximately two weeks after conception, a small amount of spotting or vaginal bleeding known as implantation bleeding can occur. This lasts for a short time and can happen around the same time as a menstrual period. This is much lighter than a menstrual cycle. Some women will experience mild cramping in early pregnancy.

Changes in breasts – due to changes in your hormones, breasts may feel tender or sore. Another early sign is the darkening of the areolas (skin around the nipple).

Feeling tired – because the hormone progesterone increases significantly, you may feel extra sleepy or fatigued.

Nausea – this symptom is called “morning sickness” but can happen at any time of the day or night and can occur as early as three weeks after conception. Nausea can be present with or without vomiting.

Frequent urination – you may be using the bathroom more than usual.

Food aversions – often, again due to changing hormones, you may find yourself squeamish around food you normally enjoy. Sometimes, certain smells that were fine before pregnancy can now bring a wave of nausea as well.

* Note: If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, and you have any of the following physical symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency department as soon as possible: vaginal bleeding (soaking greater than 1 pad in 24 hours) abdominal pain with a fever, cramping and abdominal pain more than your period, burning with urination, puffy hands or face, and or excessive vomiting.

Pregnancy Week by Week

Many of us think of pregnancy as lasting nine months, but a pregnancy is measured from the time of the woman’s last menstrual cycle. For this reason, a pregnancy usually lasts about ten months.

These ten months are divided into three trimesters. Each trimester lasts about 13 weeks. Receiving an ultrasound is the most accurate way to confirm a pregnancy and to determine how far along the pregnancy may be. If you believe you might be pregnant, Network Medical provides free pregnancy testing and ultrasound services.